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Podcasts

OIC offers educational podcasts covering a wide variety of topics, from options basics and terminology to more advanced concepts. Enroll in individual podcasts below or subscribe to entire podcast series in iTunes.

Disclaimer: Beginning in February 2015, the Expiration Date for monthly options was moved from Saturday to Friday. Most options that expire in a given month usually expire on the third Friday of the month.

Options Courses - Fundamental I

Active Courses

This introductory course offers an overview of what a capital market is and how an investor may use the various capital markets for investment opportunities and to diversify risk. Stocks, bonds, money markets, real estate and bank accounts are introduced as are the roles of these various markets in the overall economic environment. Some of the risks and potential rewards of each of these areas of the economy are introduced. With a better understanding of these resources, it will afford the user the ability to build a foundation towards a better understanding of how options fit in. The final lesson introduces options for the first time by providing a high level overview of some building blocks to further the user's understanding of the options markets.

"Options Basics" will introduce you to the terminology, basic components, and mechanics of options. This class is designed for those who have little or no understanding of options and is designed to arm you with a basic entry-level understanding of options.

This course covers some of the most basic terms that make up the language of equity options, a lingo that may seem foreign to option novices. Along with many of these terms you’ll find brief, introductory discussions of their underlying concepts.

"Covered Calls" introduces one of the simplest, yet most widely used, option strategies - the covered call. The class chapters cover the strategies, alternatives, and potential outcomes of entering into this option strategy. At the completion of the chapters and prior to the final quiz, you should understand what a covered call is, the risks, the benefits, and when an investor would choose to enter into this type of position.

Options Podcasts - Fundamental I

Active Courses

Joe Harwood from the OIC Help Desk reviews some basic options concepts and terminology. Without getting into complicated jargon and abstract concepts, he covers options' place in the financial markets, explains how they can be used in broad terms, and then slowly works into some of the first fundamental lessons.

Created from the Options Basics webcast utilizing new technology and interactive elements, this podcast covers options basics and is presented by Bill Ryan, a member of our OIC Help Desk (1-888-OPTIONS). From the history of options to the basics of puts and calls, Bill Ryan engages you in a webcast unlike anything we've offered before.

Join OIC instructor Dan Passarelli as he defines covered calls, a popular options strategy to consider when "neutral to bullish" on a particular stock. Dan covers the strategies, alternatives, and potential outcomes of entering into this option strategy. He discusses when an investor would choose to enter into this type of position as well as the risks and benefits.

Join OIC instructor Dan Passarelli as he kicks off this ten part series for experienced investors with a review of options basics. He reacquaints you with buying and selling calls and puts, plus other fundamental concepts.

In this podcast, OIC instructor Steve Meizinger of the International Securities Exchange introduces the Covered Call and why an investor who is neutral to slightly bullish on an underlying stock should consider using this popular options strategy.

In this podcast, OIC Instructor Al Brinkman continues his discussion about key terminology that every options trader should be familiar with whether you are experienced or just starting out in the options market.

In this first podcast of the Understanding and Trading Options Spread Strategies series, OIC Instructor Alan Grigoletto reviews essential options basics and discusses some of the mechanics that go into buying and selling options.

This podcast focuses on defining long and short calls and puts. OIC Instructor Aubree Greenspun and host Joe Burgoyne review terminology and discuss how these strategies compare and contrast with one another.

OIC Instructor Bo Nobel and Jeff Huddleston of the OIC Help Desk join host Joe Burgoyne in discussing how to get started in trading options - important first steps to take as well as what tools and resources are available to help investors to better understand options.

OIC Instructor Alan Grigoletto and Darren Tait of OIC's Investor Services Help Desk share their insight on what investors should consider when deciding if options is right for their portfolio. They'll discuss options as a risk management tool, ways it can be used to generate income as well as the risks and rewards of options trading.

Phil Gocke, Managing Director for OIC and Joe Harwood from OCC’s Investor Services speak with host Joe Burgoyne about the collar strategy. This podcast will discuss what the collar strategy entails, how it can be used, as well as the risks and rewards.

If you are considering trading options, this podcast will help you understand some important steps for your first trade and what every investor needs to know to get started. OIC Instructor Peter Lusk from CBOE joins host Joe Burgoyne for the first of this two-part series.

CBOE's Peter Lusk wrap up his discussion with OIC host Joe Burgoyne about what investors may experience when they start trading options. This podcast will focus on how investors can ready themselves against the unexpected and what is needed in planning an exit strategy.

Phil Gocke, Managing Director for OIC and Joe Harwood from OCC's Investor Services speak with Options Talk host Joe Burgoyne about how rumors in the marketplace can create speculation and uncertainty in a way that can impact options pricing.

This podcast will explore how technology has evolved within the options industry over the past few decades and how these advances have shaped the current marketplace. OIC Instructor Todd Wilemon from NYSE Arca and Dave Stuber from OCC’s Investor Services join host Joe Burgoyne in the discussion.

Options Videos - Fundamental I

Active Courses

The Options Industry Council presents a video designed to introduce investors to exchange-listed options, and to learn about what educational resources are available to help individuals make responsible investment choices.

OIC Instructor Steve Meizinger delves into the topic of covered call writing and discusses some of the motivations behind using this strategy in trading options. You’ll learn about calculating static and if-called returns as well as some common misconceptions about covered writing. Steve will also share some points to consider when putting together your own personalized plan for using this neutral to slightly bullish strategy.

In this latest webcast from OIC, Instructor Peter Lusk from the CBOE discusses the Equity Collar. Peter will explain what an Equity Collar is, some of the benefits and risks with using it, as well as when you might want to employ it as a trading strategy. You'll see an example on how to use an Equity Collar and various scenarios leading up to options expiration.

Options Courses - Fundamental II

Active Courses

"Buying Calls" introduces buying calls as a directional, decidedly bullish strategy. This course covers profit potential, maximum risk, primary benefits, and how the choice of a long call's strike price and expiration month can allow an investor to tailor both risk of loss and profit potential. At the conclusion of the chapters and prior to the final quiz the student should know and understand all the topics.

"Buying Puts" introduces buying puts as a directional, decidedly bearish strategy. This course covers profit potential, maximum risk, primary benefits, and how the choice of a long put's strike price and expiration month can allow an investor to tailor both risk of loss and profit potential. At the conclusion of the chapters and prior to the final quiz the student should know and understand all the topics.

"Options Strategies in a Bullish Market" has been designed to illustrate some of the most common strategies to take advantage of a bull market. This course, which explores option strategies in a bull market, is the first in a series designed to help you identify what may be an appropriate strategy in specific market environments, why you use options, and potential risks or rewards they offer. At the completion of the chapters and prior to the final quiz the student should know and understand all of the components in the conclusion.

"Options Strategies in a Bearish Market" is designed to expose the different ways that options can limit risk or increase profit in a Bear Market. This course discusses the various option strategies that take advantage of a Bear market. At the conclusion of this course and prior to the final quiz the student should be comfortable with the all Bear market strategies.

Bill Ryan, a Senior Representative for the Options Clearing Corporation, discusses where and what options exchanges are as well as some of the basic influences routinely driving the market up and down. He also explains what you might do to prepare to make a trade in terms of setting your expectations and the kind of strategies available that might suit those expectations.

In this podcast, Jeff Huddleston, a Senior Specialist at the OIC Help Desk, covers what brokerage firms are and what they do. He discusses the types of accounts you can use for equity options trading as well as provides a brief overview of the types of orders you might use and how your options orders are executed.

In this podcast, OIC instructor Dan Passarelli introduces buying calls as a directional, decidedly bullish strategy. He covers profit potential, maximum risk, primary benefits, and how the choice of a long call's strike price and expiration month can allow an investor to tailor both risk of loss and profit potential.

OIC instructor Dan Passarelli introduces buying puts as a directional, decidedly bearish strategy. He covers profit potential, maximum risk, primary benefits, and how the choice of a long put's strike price and expiration month can allow an investor to tailor both risk of loss and profit potential.

This podcast introduces LEAPS®, or long-term options. LEAPS® offer investors an alternative to stock ownership. While using LEAPS® does not ensure success, having a longer amount of time for your position to work is an attractive feature for many investors.

This podcast features a discussion about various concepts that can have a significant effect on pricing behavior and how terms such as implied volatility and delta can greatly impact how an option price responds in the marketplace.

This podcast is a review of essential strategies to consider when buying calls and how purchasing out-of-the-money, in-the-money and at-the money calls can impact your potential return. Also, find out about some advanced strategy selection concepts that will help you make sound decisions when purchasing calls

In this podcast, OIC instructor Steve Meizinger of the International Securities Exchange discusses common misconceptions about the Covered Call strategy. If you are an investor who is neutral to slightly bullish on an underlying stock, check out these podcasts today!

Learn how to better understand which options trading style works best for you with this new podcast series from OIC that covers both basic and advanced strategies, the Greeks and various trade-offs when it comes to risks and rewards.

Learn how to better understand which options trading style works best for you with this new podcast series from OIC that covers both basic and advanced strategies, the Greeks and various trade-offs when it comes to risks and rewards.

OIC Instructor Marty Kearney and Jeff Huddleston of the OIC Help Desk speak with host Joe Burgoyne about what investors need to understand about Early Exercise. Topics covered on the show include reasons why Early Exercise may happen and how it can impact American-style options versus European-style options.

Host Joe Burgoyne continues his conversation on Early Exercise with Jeff Huddleston of the OIC Help Desk and OIC Instructor Marty Kearney by discussing the early exercise of puts and the level of randomness that takes place in the early assignment process.

This podcast covers two core strategies that investors should be familiar with when trading options. Host Joe Burgoyne and OIC instructor Aubree Greenspun discuss how covered calls compare with writing puts and the potential risks and benefits of implementing each of these strategies.

In part one of this two part series, Jim Bittman of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and Darren Tait of OIC’s Help Desk explore the differences between American and European Style Options and discuss how dividends can be impacted by these types of options.

Host Joe Burgoyne continues his discussion on American and European Style Options by discussing the methodology in using these particular option styles and some of the strategies associated with each. Guests Darren Tait of the OIC Help Desk and Jim Bittman from the Chicago Board Options Exchange share their perspectives.

Host Joe Burgoyne and OIC Instructor Barry Nobel discuss what happens when option pricing appears to be too good to be true. This podcast will cover some possible reasons that pricing may appear differently than the models suggest and what potential risks investors should be aware of when coming across “too good to be true” scenarios.

In the second half of this two-part series, host Joe Burgoyne picks up his conversation with OIC Instructor Barry Nobel about “too good to be true” scenarios. Joe and Barry go over some specific examples of options pricing that falls into this category and review how corporate actions like mergers and takeovers can create unusual pricing scenarios.

OIC Instructor Barry Nobel joins host Joe Burgoyne in discussing Standard and Quarterly Options. This podcast will cover the differences between the two option types and how an investor can benefit from using them.

Host Joe Burgoyne responds to an investor who wants to know how open interest impacts their order and then he will discuss whether an investor can be long and short the exact same option at the same time.

Host Joe Burgoyne will discuss one way to select the proper strike price when purchasing an option and then he'll respond to an investor who is wondering about why their option didn't move as much as the underlying stock.

Darren Tait of the OCC's Investor Services and Alan Grigoletto, OIC's Director of Education join host Joe Burgoyne in discussing various strategies an investor may want to consider during a bull market. This podcast will highlight the risk and rewards of buying calls, cash secured puts and vertical spreads.

This podcast will explore the historical development of the options industry including how the Greeks may have used options, what it was like trading prior to the existence of put options and how the industry has fared over the past four decades. OIC Managing Director Phil Gocke and Joe Harwood from OCC's Investor Services join host Joe Burgoyne in the discussion.

Host Joe Burgoyne will explain whether an investor can exercise their right to buy the stock at any time up to the expiration date and then he'll discuss whether an investor has to have cash or stock in their account to buy or sell the shares of stock that underlie an option when exercising a put or call.

OIC host Joe Burgoyne will explain whether a broker will "automatically" exercise an option if it expires in-the-money and then he'll discuss the assignment of a short call option that is in-the-money.

In this special four-part series on taxes and investing, host Joe Burgoyne speaks with options tax expert Bill Paul from Covington & Burling LLP. This podcast explores basic tax treatments of one-sided equity options such as long calls and short puts.

Host Joe Burgoyne and options tax expert Bill Paul from Covington & Burling LLP wrap up this four-part series on taxes and investing by focusing on the Qualified Covered Call (QCC). They will examine what QCC is, how it works and some special tax rules regarding the QCC that every investor should know.

Host Joe Burgoyne will answer a question from an investor who wants to know what will happen to the dividend if they are long an in-the-money call that goes ex-dividend and they have instructed their broker to exercise the call before close of the day. Joe will also discuss what takes place when an option has a European exercise style.

Host Joe Burgoyne will answer a question from an investor who wants to know what will happen to the dividend if they are long an in-the-money call that goes ex-dividend and they have instructed their broker to exercise the call before close of the day. Joe will also discuss what takes place when an option has a European exercise style.

Host Joe Burgoyne will answer a question from an investor who wants to know how the terms "deep-in-the-money" and "in-the-money" differ from one another. Next, Joe will discuss the correlation between options and Japanese candlesticks.

Options Talk host Joe Burgoyne answers a question from an investor who wants to exercise a long option position. Joe also speaks on the topic of Weekly Options – what they are and how to distinguish Weeklys from standard options.

Options Videos - Fundamental II

Active Courses

OIC Instructor Aubree Greenspun of NASDAQ OMX PHLX discusses the mechanics of buying equity call options and explains some of the benefits and trade-offs. Using a long call scenario as an example, Aubree details how the long call can perform in certain market situations and the impact of time and volatility.

The Options Industry Council is proud to present its latest webcast: the Psychology of Trading. In this webcast, OIC instructor Amy Farnstrom of NYSE Arca teaches you the key points about the what makes a great trader including: commitment to excellence, mastery of emotions, probabilistic thinking, understanding and ability to control one’s own thought processes, staying in the moment, and executing a trading plan without fail.

In this webcast, OIC Instructor Dan Passarelli of the Chicago Board Options Exchange explains that ETF options provide a wide array of opportunities to act on your broad market or sector forecasts. Bullish on Internet stocks? Bearish on the retail sector? Think the broad market is going nowhere? Passerelli discusses how you can position yourself for a potential profit, with only one trade and the controlled risk that options can offer. Covered ETF call options and cash-secured ETF puts are also discussed.

Marty Kearney of the Chicago Board Options Exchange gives an overview of equity option expiration. Clarify your understanding of expiration day itself, as well as "expiration Friday," the day before when equity options last trade and may be exercised. Learn about the mechanics and financial consequences of exercise and assignment, and which expiring equity options might be exercised automatically. Also, gain a better understanding of “Triple Witching Day” and the impact it can have on stock and option prices.

Join OIC Instructor Marty Kearney of the Chicago Board Options Exchange as he discusses Equity LEAPS® or Long-Term Equity AnticiPation SecuritiesSM. During this webcast, he will describe what exactly is a LEAPS option and how it compares to a regular-term equity option. Marty will also explain buying a LEAPS call as a stock alternative and then provide an example a protective LEAPS put.

You've probably heard that options trading is risky and only for the seasoned trader. Or that options traders lose money because most options contracts expire worthless. Now hear the real truth as OIC instructor Todd Wilemon dispels the myths that often deter investors from trading options. Investing in options is often less risky than investing in stocks and this webcast will explain why - along with other facts about options that may be shrouded in myths.

Options Courses - Intermediate

Active Courses

This class will introduce you to the concept of "spreading." We will cover the use of basic bullish and bearish call and put spreads - i.e. simultaneously purchasing and writing calls (or puts) with different strike prices. We'll investigate how and why the potential risk and reward profiles for these strategies differ from those of simple long calls or long puts. You will also see what might motivate an investor to use simple bull or bear spreads.

"Options Strategies in a Neutral Market" is the third of the market direction theme courses available from 888options.com. This course has been created to educate investors on various option strategies best suited for a non-directional or neutral market. A unique component of this course is that every strategy presented is a spread. These different spreads are designed to use time decay to its advantage. At the completion of the chapters and prior to the final quiz the student should know and understand all the strategies presented.

"Contract Adjustments" will cover adjustments that are typically made to option contracts as a result of a corporate action. Some examples of a corporate action include: when the underlying stock undergoes a stock split, pays a special cash and/or stock dividend or distribution, or is involved in a merger, acquisition or corporate reorganization.

"Options Pricing" will introduce you to the key components of theoretical option pricing. This class has been designed to help the student achieve realistic expectations about how an option position is likely to behave under various conditions. Though their predictive value has limits, the key components of theoretical option pricing still offer an excellent tool for helping investors anticipate price movements and explain price relationships between options.

Options Podcasts - Intermediate

Active Courses

Dan Passarelli, an industry professional, discusses options pricing, inluding delta and time decay. The podcast will introduce you to the key components of theoretical option pricing. Though their predictive value has limits, the key components of theoretical option pricing still offer an excellent tool for helping investors anticipate price movements and explain price relationships between options.

Do you have a bullish outlook on a particular option, but want to better understand which approach can help maximize your profit potential? Podcast #6 of the Advanced series, “Long Call versus Debit and Credit Spreads” discusses the different types of vertical spreads to consider when using a bullish strategy. You'll also learn about how long call and short put spreads compare and contrast with debit and credit spreads.

The first half of this two-part podcast compares income strategies for writing covered calls versus selling in-the-money and out-of-the money puts. Part two takes an in-depth look at what strategies to consider given certain market conditions. You’ll also learn about the potential benefits and pitfalls of using calendar spreads as an income strategy.

The first half of this two-part podcast compares income strategies for writing covered calls versus selling in-the-money and out-of-the money puts. Part two takes an in-depth look at what strategies to consider given certain market conditions. You’ll also learn about the potential benefits and pitfalls of using calendar spreads as an income strategy.

Join OIC Instructor Steve Meizinger of the International Securities Exchange in this on-demand podcast. Steve will discuss how LEAPS®— Long-Term Equity AnticiPation Securities—differ from regular, short-term equity options. He will cover the risks and benefits of writing short term calls against LEAPS®.

Join OIC Instructor Steve Meizinger of the International Securities Exchange in part two of this on-demand podcast. Steve explains the strategies that are available if the stock goes up, down, or even stays steady

In this fourth podcast of the Developing a Trading Strategy series, OIC Instructor Steve Meizinger provides a basic introduction of the Greeks and explains how these risk gauges can help form expectations about how an option may perform in the market.

In this podcast, OIC Instructor Steve Meizinger concludes his discussion about the Greeks and highlights some of the risks and rewards that you should be aware of when formulating your plan for trading options.

OIC Instructor Bill Ryan and Darren Tait from the OIC Help Desk join host Joe Burgoyne in explaining the complexities of using a straddle and whether you can profit or lose no matter which way the underlying moves.

In part two of this two part series, Host Joe Burgoyne wraps up his discussion with Darren Tait of OIC's Help Desk and OIC Instructor Bill Ryan with a discussion about how short straddles may impact your trading strategy.

OIC Instructor Peter Lusk and host Joe Burgoyne discuss when an investor may need to implement this strategy and what are some of the advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into consideration prior to using it.

This podcast focuses on how options can be used to potentially increase income in an investor’s portfolio. Joe Harwood from the OIC Help Desk and OIC Instructor Barry Nobel share their perspectives with host Joe Burgoyne.

Understanding how to exit a position is just as important as deciding which strategy to use to enter one. Host Joe Burgoyne, along with OIC Instructor Marty Kearney and Jeff Huddleston from the OIC Help Desk, discuss the importance of having an exit strategy and factors to consider when developing your plan for getting out of a position.

OIC Instructor Barry Nobel and Joe Harwood, Manager of OIC’s Help Desk speak with host Joe Burgoyne about the differences between long and short strangles and what investors need to know about using this particular options strategy.

Host Joe Burgoyne discusses Long and Short Put Spreads with Jeff Huddleston of the OIC Help Desk and Marty Kearney, an OIC Instructor. This podcast will help investors learn about what exactly is a put spread and how it can be used.

Oftentimes, special circumstances arise that may change the complexion of trade and it’s important for investors to understand how these occurrences might impact their portfolio. OIC Instructor Barry Nobel and Joe Harwood of OIC’s Help Desk speak with host Joe Burgoyne about what are contract adjustments and what it can potential mean to investors.

OIC Instructor Todd Rich and host Joe Burgoyne review the ins and outs of the Backspreads strategy. Topics covered in this podcast include examples of call and put backspreads as well as a discussion about the risks and rewards of using this particular strategy.

OIC Instructor Aubree Greenspun and host Joe Burgoyne discuss what it means for a spread to be long and short and how these strategies works. This podcast also includes a discussion on vertical and ratio call spreads as well as the impact of volatility on these particular strategies.

The Greeks have a reputation for being an extremely complex topic to tackle for even the most experienced investor. However, in this podcast, host Joe Burgoyne and OIC Instructor Todd Rich aim to make it a little easier to digest by breaking down the terms into smaller segments, starting with Delta.

This podcast will cover a product that has garnered a great deal of attention since its release – Weekly options. OIC Instructor Bill Ryan and Joe Harwood from OIC’s Help Desk join host Joe Burgoyne in talking about Weekly options – what they are and what investors will need to keep in mind when trading them..

OIC Instructor Bill Ryan and Joe Harwood of OIC’s Help Desk sit down with host Joe Burgoyne to discuss open interest – how it is defined and how trades are impacted by it. Using a hypothetical, five-day scenario, the group will demonstrate how selling and buying too close can potentially reduce or eliminate open interest.

Joe Harwood of OIC’s Help Desk and OIC Instructor Bill Ryan, along with host Joe Burgoyne, set out to understand why some financial instruments move quickly while others don’t. Topics discussed during this podcast include the impact of volatility as well as supply and demand.

OIC Instructor Russell Rhoads and Bill Ryan of OIC’s Help Desk speak with host Joe Burgoyne about a couple of strategies that are good for investors to keep in their trading arsenal – Bull and Bear Spreads. The group will define what these spread strategies are and discuss a couple of examples that demonstrate how these spreads can work through to expiration.

In part two of the series on bull and bear spread strategies, host Joe Burgoyne concludes his conversation with Bill Ryan of OIC's Help Desk and OIC Instructor Russell Rhoads by explaining how implied volatility factors into bull and bear spreads. The podcast also covers the impact of early exercise and assignment as well as the benefits and risks of using these spread strategies.

OIC Instructor Bill Ryan and Joe Harwood of OIC's Help Desk sit down with host Joe Burgoyne to discuss debit and credit spreads - what they are and why an investor might want to use them. This podcast also includes a discussion on how these spreads can work with bear and bull spread strategies.

As with any trading strategy, there are always benefits and risks. Spreads are no exception. In this podcast featuring OIC Instructor Russell Rhoads and Bill Ryan from OIC's Help Desk, host Joe Burgoyne will discuss with our experts what the advantages and disadvantages are in using spreads and how an investor might want to consider executing a spread given the risks and rewards.

Host Joe Burgoyne dialogues with OIC Instructor Russell Rhoads and Bill Ryan of the OIC Help Desk about a trading strategy that every investor will find use in knowing how to implement - calendar spreads. This podcast will feature a discussion about how this particular strategy works and what investors need to know about the impact of volatility and other important factors such as early assignment and exercise.

OIC Instructor Russell Rhoads and Bill Ryan of the OIC Help Desk join host Joe Burgoyne in talking about Diagonal Spreads – what they are and how they work. This podcast will also cover how time decay and volatility can impact this advanced trading strategy.

Host Joe Burgoyne discusses setting a stop-loss order on an options position then he will answer a question from an investor who wants to know whether it makes a difference what type of order is entered when the market is volatile.

OIC Instructor Bo Nobel and Jeff Huddleston from OIC's Investor Services Help Desk join host Joe Burgoyne in talking about the differences between buying calls and selling puts. Bo and Jeff will cover what these two strategies are, how each works as well as what ways they compare and contrast with one another.

Darren Tait of the OIC's Investor Services Help Desk and Alan Grigoletto, an OIC Instructor join host Joe Burgoyne in discussing various strategies an investor may want to consider during a bear market. This podcast will cover the risk and rewards of buying calls, selling puts and spread strategies such as vertical bear and ratio spreads.

Darren Tait of the OIC Investor Services Help Desk and OIC Instructor Alan Grigoletto cover strategies an investor may want to consider when the market is neutral. They will discuss the ins and outs of various strategies such as the covered call, neutral calendar spread and short straddles and strangles.

This podcast will focus on a select group of listed options known as Section 1256 contracts that are taxed under special IRS tax rules. Options tax expert Bill Paul from Covington & Burling LLP and host Joe Burgoyne will explain the 60/40 treatment, the type of options that receive this special treatment, and the rationale behind it.

Phil Gocke, Managing Director for OIC and Joe Harwood from OCC's Investor Services speak with host Joe Burgoyne about two important strategies that utilizes options the buy-write and the covered call. This podcast will highlight the differences between the two strategies, how these strategies can be used and the potential risks and rewards.

Options Videos - Intermediate

Active Courses

OIC Instructor Marty Kearney discusses Long Straddles and Strangles. Marty will define what both of these volatility strategies are, discuss the risk and rewards of each then take a look at how changes in stock price and volatility can impact each strategy’s pricing behavior.

In this webcast, OIC instructor Marty Kearney teaches you the importance of developing repair and exit strategies before you begin investing in options. You'll learn about forseeing possible outcomes, understanding your risks versus your rewards and when to utilize long and short options. He will also teach you when to do nothing and when to double up, or buy more, when stock prices decline as well as how to exit with a long call or put position at or near expiration.

In this Option Contract Adjustments webcast on Stock Splits, OIC Instructor Todd Wilemon of NYSE Arca discusses what happens when a corporate action results in a stock split. Using examples from an even, odd and reverse stock split, Todd will demonstrate what can take place when an underlying stock undergoes this type of contract adjustment.

This webcast on Stock Splits is the first of a three-part series on Option Contract Adjustments. Be on the lookout for the next two webcasts in the series:

In part two of this three part series on Option Contract Adjustments, OIC Instructor Todd Wilemon of NYSE Arca discusses what are special dividends and distributions as it relates to contract adjustments. Todd will review general concepts including aggregate exercise amount and cash-in-lieu. He also provides examples of what can take place when a company announces a special cash or stock dividend/distribution.

This webcast on Stock Splits is the second of a three-part series on Option Contract Adjustments. Be on the lookout for the last webcast in this series:

In the last part of this three part series on Option Contract Adjustments, OIC Instructor Todd Wilemon of NYSE Arca discusses what happens when a contract adjustment is made as a result of a merger or acquisition. He will review general concepts such as aggregate contract value and take you through examples of an all cash merger as well as a stock and cash merger.

OIC Instructor Aubree Greenspun of NASDAQ OMX PHLX reviews important trading mechanics that every investor should know including how to understand cash requirements, which services are available through your brokerage firm and what to do once your position is established. She also provides an overview of the various types of option orders including market, limit and spreads.

Options Courses - Advanced

Active Courses

Options can give investors the flexibility to hedge market exposure, speculate on a specific market move, or allow investors to put on simple to complex option positions called spreads. One of the most critical and least understood components to the success of option trading is Volatility. This course is designed to give students the introductory understanding of what volatility is, how it works, and why it is important to understand. Even though volatility is an extremely complex subject, this course breaks it down in simple to understand terms without getting bogged down in the complex calculus. Most investors have heard of volatility but few know what it is. Get started now learning how for better or worse volatility effects all option investors

Options Podcasts - Advanced

Active Courses

In these final two podcasts of the Advanced series, you’ll find out about some alternatives to consider if an option position doesn’t work in your favor. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of using strategies like putting on a collar, rolling up on a trade or creating a spread as a way to protect your investment.

In these final two podcasts of the Advanced series, you’ll find out about some alternatives to consider if an option position doesn’t work in your favor. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of using strategies like putting on a collar, rolling up on a trade or creating a spread as a way to protect your investment.

In part two of Covered Combinations, Steve Meizinger discusses the importance of understanding options and follow up planning to cut loss. In his closing summary, he covers the strategies and risks involved in harvesting premium.

The last of this three part series concludes with host Joe Burgoyne, OIC Instructor Todd Rich and Bill Ryan of the OIC Help Desk discussing what effects that Vega, one of the Greeks, can have on volatility.

Host Joe Burgoyne speaks to Jim Bittman of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and Darren Tait from the OIC Help Desk about the meaning of put call parity, how it works and what it does to keep the markets in line with one another.

Darren Tait of the OIC Help Desk, Jim Bittman of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and host Joe Burgoyne build upon last week’s discussion about put-call parity by delving into the topic of synthetic long stock. Topics covered in this podcast include what is synthetic long stock, what type of investor may consider buying it and why would an investor consider buying it.

Host Joe Burgoyne and OIC Instructor Aubree Greenspun explore strategies that deal specifically with volatility including calendar spreads and backspreads. This podcast also include a discussion on historical and implied volatility and important pointers for investors to keep in mind when implementing these types of spread strategies.

OIC Instructor Steve Meizinger and host Joe Burgoyne kick off the first of a three part series on Options Skew. While skew is an advanced trading concept, it is nonetheless important for investors to understand. In this podcast, Steve and Joe will cover what exactly is skew and the benefits that come from studying it.

Host Joe Burgoyne continues his discussion with OIC Instructor Steve Meizinger about the relationship between options skew and volatility. This podcast will also cover factors that investors need to keep in mind when it comes to these two concepts.

Host Joe Burgoyne wraps up this three part series with a conversation about the various types of options skews including options smile and smirk. OIC Instructor Steve Meizinger weighs in with his thoughts on what drives skew and which options strategies can be used with it.

Host Joe Burgoyne and OIC Instructor Peter Lusk discuss two important concepts that every investor should be familiar with – theta risk and volatility. Joe and Peter will cover what these two topics mean and how they interrelate with one another.

OIC Instructor Bo Nobel and Jeff Huddleston from the OIC Investor Services Help Desk discuss naked long and short options. They will discuss what it means to be naked in options trading, the risk-reward profile and how an investor may want to proceed when trading naked options.

OIC Instructor Todd Wilemon from NYSE Arca and Dave Stuber from OCC’s Investor Services speak with host Joe Burgoyne about the intricacies of the Butterfly Spread. This podcast will cover what this strategy entails as well as the potential risks and rewards.

Dave Stuber from OCC Investor Services and OIC Instructor Todd Wilemon from NYSE Arca join host Joe Burgoyne in discussing LEAP Diagonal Spreads. This podcast will discuss the ins and outs of this strategy, how it can be used, as well as the benefits and risks.

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OIC Instructor Todd Wilemon of NYSE Arca delves into the topic of Volatility and its significance to the options investor. Through his discussion on the three types of volatility: Historical, Implied and Expected, Todd explains how each compares with one another, what happens when it is changing and how it can impact option pricing.

Discover how implied volatility can affect the profit and loss of your options positions. Gain a better understanding about how changing implied volatility's effect on options prices can be quantified through the concept of Vega, one of the Greeks.

You'll also be introduced to the generally-expected behavior of implied volatility in today's market and how to prepare yourself to take advantage of its changing levels.

Join Dan Sheridan of Sheridan Options Mentoring and Alan Grigoletto of the BOX Options Exchange as they discuss this exercising for the dividend. Listen to Dan and Alan explain the dividend process and provide practical guidelines on when investors should exercise their call options in order to capture dividends. They explain why professionals have a distinct advantage in capturing dividends and why the retail client needs to examine both the costs and risks associated with options exercise. Dan and Alan share practical examples and personal experiences to bring light to this often misunderstood topic.

In this webcast, join Dan Sheridan of Sheridan Options Mentoring, for a lively discussion of implied volatility as it relates to your expectations for profit vs. loss in two situations. First, Dan will give an example of a time spread on a well-known index taken from mid-May, and the effect of typical summer volatility behavior on its profitability. Second, using past announcements by a well-known tech stock, Dan will make observations on trading earnings reports, and the surprises you might expect with respect to options price behavior. Take this opportunity to learn how you might avoid typical implied volatility traps -- seasonal and situational.

Dan Sheridan of Sheridan Options Mentoring discusses the importance of having a strategy to follow when the market is down. Using a real-life, historical example of Russell 2000® Index options, you will hear ideas on how to adjust your position after a big underlying move. Learn Dan's tried and true tips for survival in a volatile market.

In this latest offering from The Options Industry Council, Dan Sheridan of Sheridan Options Mentoring discusses two ways to protect unrealized stock profits from a declining market, using real-life, historical examples. You will also hear Dan's ideas on adjusting a time spread that has taken a turn for the worse in a down market.

Dan Sheridan takes a look at third quarter 2008, a period of uncertainty characterized by extraordinarily high volatility. Dan will discusses real-life examples of increased implied volatility levels investors have had to contend with, as well as how this volatility impacts the risk vs. reward profiles of certain specific option strategies.

Join Darren Tait, an options professional at the Options Help Desk, as he delves into the subject of liquidity. Liquidity is frequently used when discussing macroeconomic issues pertaining to governmental bodies or by corporations in reference to their balance sheets and cash flows.

The focus of this webcast will discuss liquidity as it pertains to issues in the financial markets that traders and investors encounter on a daily basis.

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This web site discusses exchange-traded options issued by The Options Clearing Corporation. No statement in this web site is to be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell a security, or to provide investment advice. Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Prior to buying or selling an option, a person must receive a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Copies of this document may be obtained from your broker, from any exchange on which options are traded or by contacting The Options Clearing Corporation, One North Wacker Dr., Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60606 (1- 800-678-4667).